Quote: Do you think they tassled at the same time??
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Quote: Do you think they tassled at the same time??
As I remember reading about how Sand HIll manages all those corn varieties, he focuses on the tassel timing to prevent cross pollination. So perhaps one of those varieties you listed tassled at the same time. As you like the outcome, perhaps you will save the seed and start a new variety.Well I planted stowell's evergreen, pencil cob, golden bantam, country gentlemen, and howling mob in the same 3 sisters garden. Pencil cob was the last to mature. Maybe the later date cut down on cross pollination. The color/shape of the kernels were true to form, but i don't see how it could emerge totally unscathed.
I'm sure hoping , or is that "Hopi'n" that you get a bumper crop!!
Lasted until the sun started to set and the mosquitos then attacked in droves. NOt sure if the soilution worked because of the low numbers of pests or if it was effective for just a few hours and needed replenishing . .
BRM is in bulk?? Must have a website then.
Well I planted stowell's evergreen, pencil cob, golden bantam, country gentlemen, and howling mob in the same 3 sisters garden. Pencil cob was the last to mature. Maybe the later date cut down on cross pollination. The color/shape of the kernels were true to form, but i don't see how it could emerge totally unscathed.
Fluff,
I am defineatly going to have to till up yet a couple more spots to try some of these other heirloom corns. Stowells especially sounds so intriguing and the story about pulling the plant up by the roots to make it last "fresh"(evergreen) into winter is something I'll have to try!
I would definitely recommend trying multiple types of heirlooms out, but i doubt the story about stowells is true. I've never tried pulling it out roots and all, but the rate at which the sugars convert to starch is very close to the other heirloom sweet corns i've grown. The process surely isn't so slowed down that you could get a fresh ear during winter. The stowells i have left in the garden has already lost all sweetness and is becoming "chewy". I'm saving it to make cornmeal when the kernels completely harden.
In regards to the name i've read two different stories about the "evergreen" part. One story is the one you mentioned about pulling it up roots and all to enjoy when the weather turns cold. The other story is that it got the name "evergreen" because it tolerates temperature a few degrees colder than other corn. The story usually goes that stowells was the only corn to produce during an unusually cold summer.
Quote: Perhaps saving all the seed would be worthwhile. Certainly saving seeds from as many different ears as possible is a plus. 200 plants, or 400 ears, is more corn than my family eats in a year.
I looked at Bob's blue corn yesterday and was a bit disappointed at the protein levels. Totaly expecting a 20% protein. THe hunt for higher protien corn continues.
Well it's so interesting even if it's not quite accurate. I read the Howling Mob was a sales pitch name as well. Have you tried it yet? Could you rank them in terms of best tasting or maybe not likely to get chewy 30 seconds after being picked ? I'd like to eventually narrow my varieties down to just 4, but there are so many to try!
Quote: Thanks for the details-- this makes a lot of sense. Advertizing has been around a long time!! lol
What I like about the huge variety of traits is that it wasn't only about taste-- just having a variety that could grow well and have food on the table is probably the basis of all the corns up to the mid 1900's.
Here is my take: when corn became a commercial product the farmers benefitted from a product that not only could be harveted all at once by a machine but to also have a very uniform product to sell.
THe newer varitieties are too sweet as I have gone to a low carb diet and sugar has all but disappeared from my house. My tastebuds have changed dramatically and most sweets are too sweet now ( though there are exceptions! lol)
As for the chewiness, this rather interests me as a desired trait. I eat far less food now than years ago, and the chew actually helps me feel like I have eaten a fair amt of food. I am guessing but perhaps the chew is fiberous material and that no one can get enough of. So another reason I would be interested in this variety.
How large are your plots??